LOWELLTHOMAS, JR.
Spear, Net, and Game Basket Equip a Jungle Hunting Party
Pygmies connect several nets, each up to 100 yards long and four feet high, to form
a barrier that may stretch half a mile. Then the women, some carrying babies, drive
game into the trap with whoops and whistles. Men knife small creatures but spear
dangerous animals, such as the forest hog, which has razor-sharp tusks.
three times, then along the grave and down
the path to Aberi's hut.
After the funeral a kind of court was held
around Sansiwake. One of the visiting mourn
ers said to the child: "Your father is dead.
Who is going to be your father? What are
you going to do?"
Sansiwake made no answer; nor was one
expected. Once stated, the case would be
decided by the older members of the village.
As night came on, the women were sent
away, and it was hinted that I was overstay
ing my welcome. It was time, I realized, to
call out the esumba, the great spirit of the
forest.
Legend says the esumba, which seems to
take the form of an animal, or sometimes a
rainbow, once belonged to the women. But
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